Activists On Vieques Say They Will Stand Ground

Protesters Anticipate That They Could Be Arrested And Removed At Any Time.

May 3, 2000|By Ivan Roman, San Juan Bureau

VIEQUES, Puerto Rico - Tension and anxiety increased Tuesday on the target range and at the gates of Camp Garcia as the Pentagon confirmed an operation to remove protesters was in the works and media reports indicated the showdown could take place early today.

Things reached a fever pitch when word came to opposition politicians, who swarmed to Vieques on Tuesday to take part in the civil disobedience, that federal arrest orders were signed in San Juan that afternoon.

``We can't provoke anyone or let ourselves be provoked by anyone, but we're here to defend human rights, and we'll be arrested if it comes to that,'' said Sen. Velda Gonzalez, 66, senator for the opposition Popular Democratic Party.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Chicago, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., and two New York City councilmen planned to arrive in Vieques today. Also, Rear Adm. Kevin Green, head of the Navy's Southern Command, and religious leaders opposed to military use of the island, planned a noon meeting at the observation post where a security guard was accidentally killed last year.

The religious leaders, many of whom are camped out on the target range, had asked Green for an urgent meeting to express their opposition to a bombing resumption.

``This doesn't mean that arrests won't happen right now, but we would hope that this meeting will take place before anything does,'' said the Rev. Nelson Lopez of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Caguas, which includes Vieques.

Meanwhile, from the target range to the mainland, politicians and activists warned that political fallout from any removal or arrests would be swift, lasting throughout this election year.

Gutierrez, , who along with other congressmen and the Rev. Jesse Jackson have urged President Clinton to call off the operation, said this move would cost many votes.

``I think this will affect Al Gore and the Democratic Party,'' Gutierrez said on a morning television show. ``This will be disastrous. I think the Latinos in the '90s understand what discrimination is.''

Later in the day, Gutierrez promised to join the protesters.

After the USS Nashville and the USS Bataan arrived from Virginia on Monday and helicopters zoomed over the 12 camps on the 899-acre target range, many were expecting FBI agents and federal marshals to move in Tuesday morning to remove 80 protesters camped there.

That didn't happen. The 1,000 Marines on the boats, ready to secure the range after protesters are removed, were not seen. At Camp Garcia's main gate, where senators, musicians, former political prisoners and priests lent support, leaders handed out goggles, scarves and instructions on dealing with tear gas.

But as sunrise came, more people arrived from the main island of Puerto Rico, and it remained quiet until late afternoon, when television crews saw military ships heading back to the vicinity of the target range.

Local officials remain mum on reports they were briefed on details of the plan, and Gov. Pedro Rossello reiterated that he would not be sharing what he knows.

The yearlong standoff with Washington began April 19, 1999, when a wayward bomb during target practice killed security guard David Sanes Rodriguez. His death capped decades of resentment against the Navy since it assumed control of three-quarters of the 52-square-mile island in 1941 for training exercises.

Once the removal swings into action, people were expected to rush to Camp Garcia's main gate. If local police block roads to the gate, the supporters plan to gather at the main square.

Vieques Mayor Manuela Santiago, who agrees with Clinton's directives that allow limited training with dummy bombs for another three years, said she won't be joining them.

``This is a very painful moment for me,'' Santiago said.

The aftermath of removal and arrests could be painful for many in San Juan and Washington. Most of those at camps on the target range to block the Navy from resuming bombing have said they will go quietly if arrested.

But some say that although they won't be violent, they'll hide. Once most are removed, plans are for others to try to elude Marines and get onto the range.

``When they take some out, we'll find ways for others to come in,'' said Regalado Miro, 26, who got married on the range last month. ``We're as ready as they are. We know these hills like no one else.''

Activists are ready to protest at the White House at noon the day after arrests happen. Later demonstrations are slated for New York, Hartford, Conn., San Francisco, Chicago and other cities.

In Central Florida, the Orlando Committee for the International Movement Peace for Vieques is calling for a protest in front of the Federal Building at 80 N. Hughey Ave. Demonstrations are to start at 4 p.m. the next working day after arrests take place.

Activists in the movement to keep the U.S. Navy from using the range hope concerns about public opinion and political interests will save their cause. If arrests happen, activists warn, next month's National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York will turn into a massive protest and a black eye for the Clinton administration.

Jaime Vazquez, a former vice mayor of Jersey City, N.J., who is with Vietnam Veterans for Peace, said Hispanics across the country will be particularly angry if there is any sign of heavy-handedness on the part of authorities - perhaps in response to speculation that some protesters may be armed.